Brad Rusin

PROFILE
An athletic and powerful defender, Rusin joined Whitecaps FC on January 11, 2013, after spending the prior year-and-a-half with Danish club HB Køge. The 26-year-old is reunited with Whitecaps FC head coach Martin Rennie after playing two-plus seasons (2009 to 2011) for the Scotsman at Carolina RailHawks.

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER 2013: Replaced Jay DeMerit in the season opener when the Captain ruptured his Achilles tendon in the seventh minute versus Toronto FC. He started the next six matches in the captain's absense. Strained his left calf in training on May 27. Rusin made his return to Martin Rennie's starting XI on July 3 versus Sporting KC. When Vancouver visited Los Angeles on July 20, Rusin made a critical goal-line clearance that was nominated for MLS' save of the week.

DANISH SUPERLIGA/FIRST DIVISION2012-13: In his second season with the club, Rusin made 10 appearances as HB Køge played in the Danish First Division. 2011-12: Rusin began his time with HB Køge following their promotion to the Danish Superliga in 2011, making 28 appearances and contributing offensively with three goals. In total, the Holmes Beach, Florida native played a total of 38 matches in Denmark.

NORTH AMERICAN SOCCER LEAGUE2011: Prior to his time in Europe, the 6-foot-4 centre back played two-plus seasons under Rennie at Carolina RailHawks. In 2011, Rusin – who was named team captain – appeared in 11 matches and scored two goals for the RailHawks.

UNITED STATES SOCCER FEDERATION DIVISION-2 PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE2010: Rusin’s second season in Carolina was played in the United States Soccer Federation Division-2 Professional League (USSF D-2). The defender appeared in 19 matches and scored one goal for the RailHawks, helping Carolina capture the 2010 NASL Conference Title. In the postseason, Rusin appeared in four of the team’s six playoff matches, as the RailHawks reached the USSF D-2 championship series before falling 3-1 on aggregate to Puerto Rico Islanders.

UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES FIRST DIVISION2009: In his debut season with the RailHawks, Rusin appeared in 21 matches and scored two goals in Martin Rennie’s first season as head coach of the United Soccer Leagues First Division (USL-1) side, helping the Cary, North Carolina squad to a club-best second place finish.

COLLEGE2008: In 2008, his senior year, Rusin was named co-captain, Defensive MVP, and first-team All-Pac-10. He appeared in and started 20 matches, registering three goals and four assists. He was named Pac-10 Player of the Week and consensus National Team of the Week member after scoring the match-winner at Oregon State and leading the defensive core to two shutouts. 2007: Rusin earned honourable mention All-Pac 10 honours once again, while appearing in 20 matches with 19 starts for the Bruins and leading the defensive unit to five shutouts in the 2007 season. 2006: In Rusin’s second season with the Bruins, he appeared in 17 matches, including 16 starts, and received honourable mention All-Pac 10 honours for the second straight year. 2005: Before his time with the RailHawks, Rusin enjoyed four successful seasons at the University of California, Los Angeles. In his debut season with the Bruins, Rusin appeared in 15 matches, including 11 starts, and earned honourable mention All-Pac 10 honours.

UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES PREMIER DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE2008: In between his time with the Bruins, Rusin played in the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League (PDL). As a member of the San Fernando Valley Quakes, Rusin appeared in 10 matches and scored one goal in his final season in the PDL, while helping the Quakes to the PDL Southwest Division title. 2007: In his second PDL season, Rusin appeared in 10 matches for Ventura County Fusion. 2005: In his debut PDL season, the athletic defender appeared in 15 matches, registering five goals and one assist.

HIGH SCHOOL/YOUTH
The Indiana-born defender was named team MVP while leading St. Stephen's Prep to an 18W-1L-2D season in 2005, recording eight goals and four assists while playing centre back. His efforts also saw him named an EA SPORTS All-American, First-team all-state and all-area. Rusin Also played one year (2001-02) at Valparaiso HS in Indiana. Additionally, Rusin trained at the IMG Soccer Academy in Bradenton, Florida and was IMG Defensive Player of the Year while serving as team captain for the IMG PDL squad and played on the IMG Academy Team that won the 2005 U-19 Dallas Cup. The young leader also captained North West Indiana United FC and the Indianapolis Arsenal SC. As a top player in his age group, Rusin was a five-year Indiana ODP State team member. As an 18-year-old, Rusin trained with Bolton Wanderers in the summer of 2004.

PERSONAL
Full name is Bradford Evan Rusin. Born September 5, 1986 in Crown Point, Indiana. Mother Karen and younger brother Parker live in Holmes Beach, Florida. Father Clifford Rusin played Division I soccer in the early 70's for Western Illinois University.

INTERESTING FACTS
Rusin names Chelsea FC as his favourite soccer club, Michael Jordan as an athlete he admires, his mom as his biggest influence, and lists hanging out with friends, cooking, playing video games, and as his interests. In the kitchen, Rusin likes to cook chicken and salmon. At UCLA, he was a geography major with a career objective in engineering management or architecture/construction management. On the coaching front, Rusin holds a USYSA D National Coaches License. Away from the soccer field Rusin enjoys playing basketball and beach volleyball.